James anticipates remaining with the Lakers for the duration of the season.
As the NBA trade deadline draws near, various teams viewed as potential future landing spots for LeBron James are reportedly engaged in discussions to acquire top-tier talent. However, sources within the league informed ESPN on Tuesday that James is anticipated to complete the season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Rich Paul, James’ long-time friend and CEO of Klutch Sports, stated on his “Game Over” podcast in December that James would not pursue a trade and would finish his record-setting 23rd season in Los Angeles.
“No,” Paul remarked during a podcast episode released on December 9. “Where is he going to go?”
At 41 years old, James holds a no-trade clause, meaning he must consent to any trade the Lakers might attempt to arrange.
Since Paul’s December comments, the Lakers have fallen from the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference to No. 6. ESPN’s Baxter Holmes reported on January 21 about the deteriorating relationship between James and Lakers acting governor Jeanie Buss.
Two days following that report, James was asked if he intended to complete the season with the Lakers, to which he responded: “I’m good … I’m good.”
James’ intentions for the upcoming season remain uncertain. He mentioned last week that he is unsure if he will retire this summer, but he recognized that the Lakers’ game in Cleveland “very well could be” his final appearance in Northeast Ohio.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, and Golden State Warriors—three teams considered viable options for James should he choose to play next season—have been making headlines regarding their efforts to acquire prominent players.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, both the Warriors and Knicks have engaged in trade talks with the Milwaukee Bucks to obtain Giannis Antetokounmpo. Charania also reported that the Cavaliers are interested in LA Clippers guard James Harden.
However, if any of these significant moves were to occur, league sources informed ESPN that James would not be joining those teams before the season concludes, if at all.
